The Breastplate of Faith and Love

we may say, he is a patient man, or he is a temperate man, or these are works of Justice, or works of temperance: But we can never call it godliness, except it rise from faith, except it come from this ground; because indeed it is not done to God. (Mark it) I say, further then a man doth a thing out of faith, he doth it not to GOD. For, to do a thing out of faith,¹ is nothing else, but when out of persuasion of GODS love to me, I do this thing: merely for his sake whom I have chosen, to whom I give my self; one that I know loves me; and therefore, though there were no reward for it, I would serve him. This is a work of faith. Now, I say, this is properly godliness. And therefore, in 2 Pet. 1. when the Apostle had named Patience and Temperance, lest we should mistake, (as if he should say, There be many Virtues of this nature amongst men that belong not to GOD.) Therefore, saith he, Add Godliness; that is, Let it be such ⟨p. 83⟩as becomes a godly man to do. Godliness is that which is done to GOD;² such things and such qualities as have an eye and respect to him, such things please him. What if a man should do never so much, if it please not GOD, it is lost labour. It is said, Heb. 11.6.³ that Enoch pleased God. Mark how the Apostle reasons: (saith he) without faith it is impossible to please God: therefore, in that he is said to please GOD, it must needs be through faith. You know, it is said, Rom. 13.⁴ whatsoever a man doth, if it be not of faith, and love, GOD looks not to it; you know there can be no love without faith.

we may say, he is a patient man, or he is a temperate man, or these are workes of Justice, or workes of temperance: But we can neuer call it godlinesse, except it rise from faith, except it come from this ground; because indeed it is not done to God. (Marke it) I say, further then a man doth a thing out of faith, hee doth it not to GOD. For, to doe a thing out of faith,